THE RANT: Congressmen McIntyre & Jones have no time to talk “fiscal cliff”

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY’S ‘THE RANT’) — Now that the election is over, it seems our two local congressmen don’t have time for the media or their constituents anymore.

Since Friday we’ve tried to call and get interviews with Congressmen Mike McIntyre and Walter Jones as well as Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr to talk about the countdown to the “fiscal cliff.”

I’ve got to say, out of the four, the one who “gets it” and impressed us the most was Senator Hagan. She was presiding over the senate Friday, but took time out to call us back and do an interview over the phone.

We gave Senator Burr a pass Friday because we were told he was in an Intelligence Committee meeting, and with all that’s blowing up around the world, that probably kept him pretty busy. We’re also told today that when he gets back to DC this afternoon, he’ll try to do an interview with us.

On the other hand, it appears that Congressmen McIntyre and Jones are in hiding. We were told Friday and again today they’re too busy to talk with us. Both of their staffs directed us though to “written statements” regarding “the cliff” – statements we assume were probably written by staffers anyway. Or, if they were truly written by the Congressmen – or dictated to a staffer – wouldn’t it take less time just to do an interview?

Disappointing that these two don’t have the courage to take questions about “the cliff.” I realize it’s a no win situation, but this is exactly why people are sick and tired of politics and politicians. Why have the intestinal fortitude to answer questions when you can hide behind an email.